Chapter 287 New Challenge

The next morning, Qin Mubai got up early in the morning and practiced arrows in the backyard.

He is about to go to the border, and bow and horse kung fu will inevitably come in handy, so he has been practicing more diligently recently. In terms of martial arts, Qin Mubai feels that he is second-rate at most, and he is in the same grade as Yin Yang and Yuwen Hongtai. However, there is still a long way to go from the battlefield veterans of their father Qin Shubao and Yuchi Jingde.

As for Xue Rengui, the "god"-like peak figure, let alone Xue Rengui. Qin Mubai has always felt that Xue Rengui may be a little more powerful than his old man. It's just that he is used to being modest and rarely reveals it. But because of this, Xue Rengui always gives people a mysterious feeling, which makes it inevitable to guess how strong his martial arts are.

The golden gun Qin Mubai has been on his body for more than a year. It is still brand-new and has never seen blood. Today, I was taken out and practiced once. I practiced the shooting skills of the Qin family's Taiji gun several times, and suddenly felt that my arms were sore and swollen.

"You still have to practice!"

After practicing, he was already sweating profusely. After bathing and changing clothes, he was ready to have breakfast with his mother and sister. When I arrived at the front hall, I found that guests came from the yard of the front house. A man in casual clothes was strolling in the forest garden to enjoy the plum blossoms.

Qin Mubai took a look. Isn't that Li Xun?

Li Wei also saw Qin Mubai and waved to him from afar. Qin Mubai quickly stepped forward and arched his hand and said, "When did Uncle Shi come? It's really a long way to welcome! The servants in this house are also crazy, but they haven't been notified!"

Li Xun smiled and said, "I don't blame them. I don't let them spread it. I heard that you were practicing martial arts, so I walked between the gardens without disturbing you.

Except for Qin Mubai's mother and girls, there was no one to greet her. Li Xun actually had an hour in this garden. Qin Mubai couldn't help but apologize. He hurriedly invited Li Xun into the hall to worship his seat and invited him to have breakfast together.

If you don't go to the Three Treasures Hall, a figure like Li Yu comes alone in the early morning. There must be something wrong. After the tea and dinner, Qin Mubai asked, "Uncle condescending to come to the door. I don't know what to say?"

Li Yiwei smiled and said, "There are still a few things to discuss with you."

"Please also ask Uncle Shi to teach me."

"I dare not do it." Li Xun smiled and said, "Recently, I have been busy dispatching troops under the orders of His Majesty. Marquis Junji, Duke of Lu, has led all the way south to Songzhou to fight against the enemy. The other person went to Lanzhou, and it was almost ready to be allocated. Recently, the food and fodder can be prepared with armor and equipment for rectification and set off. Your Majesty once secretly instructed Jiyi and told Weichen that the commander who led the army to Lanzhou was you, Qin Mubai, right?

"Yes, Your Majesty did give me an order, but the order of the court has not been issued yet." Qin Mubai said truthfully.

Li Xun nodded and said, "I guess it's just these two days. You have to prepare. The purpose of my coming here is to consult with you about the candidates for generals.

"General?" Qin Mubai frowned gently, "What do you say?"

"Lanzhou will become an important military town and barrier. It can't be the same as the general governor's office. It's about the Guanhe River and the military plan of the Tang Dynasty in the future!" Li Xun said, "Therefore, I must listen to your opinion on the selection of generals. The former Lanzhou Governor's Office is just an ordinary military town. Your father holds the position of Governor, and few of them are competent. Now Your Majesty has sent you here, which can be regarded as adding a strong arm to him. But it's not enough for you and your son. The governor's office of Lanzhou is about to be expanded. Under the original jurisdiction of the three prefectures of Lanzhou, He and Guo, Liangzhou may also be under the jurisdiction. The rule of soldiers and horses will also increase from more than 20,000 to nearly 50,000. The former Governor's Office of Lanzhou will also be converted into the Governor's Office. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the number of people.

"Oh? What kind of talents did Uncle Shi choose? Qin Mubai asked.

Li Xun smiled and said, "These people will work with your father and son in the future. Of course, you have to ask for your opinions first. I have selected some characters, and Your Majesty has also appointed several candidates. Now I will tell you - take it and have a look!"

After saying that, Li Wei took out a list of officials added to the Governor's Office of Lanzhou this time.

The governor's office is a relatively large military base, and the highest officer is also the governor, the third grade. The three most important deputies are the driver under the fourth grade, the long history of the fifth grade, and Sima under the fifth grade. There are also several military personnel such as soldiers, laws, sergeants, scholars, warehouses, and meritorious officials, as well as other officials such as municipal officials, Cheng, Zuo, doctors, and teaching assistants. The establishment of these officials is quite similar to that of the local governor. However, because the governor's office is more inclined to governing the army, there is also a military establishment of government guards. According to Li Xun, if the number of soldiers and horses under the governor's office of Lanzhou will reach 50,000, according to the general establishment, there will be at least more than 20 military mansions, and there will be more than 20 lieutenants.

In addition, the soldiers and horses of the Governor's Office of Lanzhou are subordinate to Zuo Weiwei. When Qin Shubao was used, he was appointed General Zuo Weiwei and the governor of Lanzhou. That is the veritable highest military officer. Most of the officials under the governor's office, especially the military attache, also served as the guard and the governor's office at the same time.

Qin Mubai took a look at the list of personnel given by Li Yu. The former officer of Zuo Weiwei has not changed much, but the official position of the governor's office has been greatly changed. First of all, Sima and Changshi have been replaced. Qin Mubai didn't expect the two people to change - Xue Wanjun and Xue Wanche!

The two brothers have excellent martial arts and military achievements, and their prestige in the army is not small. Moreover, the current official rank is not low. He is divided into the generals of Zuo Tunwei and You Wuwei. Like Qin Shubao, he is one of the twelve generals who are equal. In addition, Xue Wanche is also Li Shimin's brother-in-law and a relative of the emperor.

It can be said that if it hadn't been for the emperor's reactivation of Qin Shubao, a founding veteran, the current prestige and reputation of the Xue brothers would have far better than Qin Shubao!

In addition to the division of Changshi and Sima, the Xue brothers transferred the general officer of Benwei to a procurator, and General Zuo Weiwei (a total of two people, the deputy of the general) was also served by them. That is to say, their military rank has not been lowered, but it is still the third grade (general of the procuratorial school). The official was reduced to a general by one level, and he served as the deputy of the general Qin Shubao.

Because it has been increased from the lower governor's office to the central governor's office, Lanzhou has added an assistant to the central governor's office - don't drive, that is, the position is second only to the governor, and is the highest civilian official who assists Qin Shubao in managing people's livelihood.

This candidate is empty.

Other civil and military officials are not very important. They are basically people selected from the guards and the government officials of the imperial court.

After reading it, Qin Mubai was silent for a long time.

"What are you thinking about?" Li Xun drank tea in no hurry and asked with a smile.

"Uncle, you are not an outsider. The younger generation has something unclear and wants to ask for advice. Qin Mubai said.

"Tell me."

Qin Mubai did not hide it any more, so he said, "As we all know, the Xue brothers have made great achievements in recent years. My father has faded out of the court for many years and has also been a little old. At the bottom of his reputation, they are not as good as the Xue brothers. Now, His Majesty asked the Xue brothers to be my father's deputy... How can this make them happy? If there is a discord within the governor's office, it will be bad.

Li Wei smiled carelessly, as if he had expected Qin Mubai's worries. He said, "Your Majesty has made such an arrangement, and we should also be considerate as ministers. After all, Lanzhou is related to the half of the country in the west of the Tang Dynasty. It is a barrier and a gate of the country. If you don't choose a good person, it will definitely not work; if you choose a good person, it may not be what your majesty wants to see.

When Li Yu said this, Qin Mubai suddenly realized in his heart!

Yes, kings are suspicious!

Such an important military town as Lanzhou holds 50,000 troops and directly faces the naked Tang Guanzhong. The hand-controlled Silk Road is related to the great plan to dominate the Western Regions. It can be said that it can become a country by itself. If there is a change here, the risk to the Tang Dynasty will be more than a million times greater than that of Tibet!

Since the establishment of Zhenguan, the Xue brothers have not been from the same faction as Qin Shubao and other former generals in the Qin Palace. They don't talk about contradictions with each other, at least they are not convinced by the secret competition. Li Shimin's intention to play this is obvious, which is to make Lanzhou strong, and there are two obvious factions at the same time.

The emperor is most disgusted with the faction of the party, but he is most willing to use it. There are contradictions between the ministers, which is convenient for the emperor to adjust and control. If they are all in the same group, it will be a gang at the top of the mountain. If so, Lanzhou, which has become a country of its own, only knows the governor and does not know the emperor, which is not good.

After clearing this layer, Qin Mubai smiled with relief. The emperor's mind is not like this. It can't be said that Li Shimin is narrow-minded, and the emperor also has the difficulties of the emperor, that's all!

So he didn't break the casserole to the end on this question. He changed the topic and said, "Then why is this other driver's job empty? Well, there are also Yifu Lang generals of Zuo Weiwei. Zhonglang, Zuolang and Youlang Sanlang are all vacant.

"His Majesty deliberately ordered this arrangement. Think about it, this other job is naturally yours. Li Xun smiled and said, "Your father is the governor, but he is from the army like the Xue brothers and is not good at civil service. You are the most important addition to the three of them.

"That's interesting." Qin Mubai smiled and said, "I'm still on top of the two long history of the Xue brothers and Sima. They have to be aggrieved."

"There is nothing to be aggrieved about. They govern the army and you govern the people, and each has its own division of labor. Li Xun said, "Moreover, when it comes to the army, the two generals can stand alone, but you are just in charge of Zuo Weiwei's Yifu Qinxun and follow your father as a general."

"That is to say, I may be the general of Zuo Weiwei Yifu in Lanzhou, right?" Qin Mubai said.

"It's very likely." Li Xun nodded, "But in the end, we have to wait for His Majesty to make a decision."

Qin Mubai nodded and smiled, and finally understood. The emperor abruptly inserted the Xue brothers into the governor's mansion of Lanzhou. In the governor's mansion, the two of them are almost the same level as Qin Mubai and assist Qin Shubao together. In the army, the two are nominally subordinate to Qin Shubao, but they hold military power enough to fight against Qin Shubao.

The father and son of the Qin family and the Xue brothers are so powerfully intertwined. At that time, it will be difficult for you to compete with me without friction. But these four people are all people who have a bottom line and vision to do great things. They will not miss state affairs because of private fights - from this point of view, Li Shimin's arrangement is exquisite. The emperor's city mansion and heart skills can be said to have been sprinkled incisively and vividly.

"The purpose of my coming to ask you is to ask you to recommend two fierce generals, the left and right generals of Zuo Weiwei Yifu, that is, your left and right deputies in the army, and the generals of the generals of the Chinese army." Li Xun said so.

Qin Mubai smiled bitterly, "Who can I recommend?" It's up to Uncle Shi!"

"Mubai, don't worry about it." Li Xun smiled and said, "If you go to Lanzhou, there will definitely be a march and war. When you are in charge, is it possible that you and your father will take the lead first? That won't work! Therefore, there must be two good deputy generals to take on the heavy responsibility of charging. The Xue brothers are a pair of fierce generals, but your father and son certainly can't make them well. When you get to the front line of the border, this may be fatal, you know?

Qin Mubai nodded and said, "But I really don't have the right candidate!" If it is not only a fierce general, but also what we can do at will. Such a person... I really don't have it!"

"Why not?" Li Xun smiled mysteriously, "Isn't there several in Wu Wangfu?"

"Ah?" Hearing this, Qin Mubai immediately shook his head, "They are from the King of Wu!"

"That's also from the imperial court!" Li Xun said lightly.

When Qin Mubai heard this, he couldn't help but be a little alert - what does Li Xun mean? Is he asking me to dig people from the king of Wu? Such a thing has always been the most unkind and hateful. With Li Xun's smoothness and deep insight into the world, how can I be able to do such a stupid thing?

Turning to think about it, Qin Mubai thought that after returning to Beijing this time, he and Li Ke coincided with each other to keep a clear line. Li Ke, who also became more and more low-key, huddled in the house all day long. He even refused the engagement ceremony for Qin Mubai and Gao Yang, which openly showed that the two had a conflict.

Thinking of this layer, Qin Mubai probably understood: this is mostly what Li Ke means!

He is now an idle prince who has returned to Beijing. What other name has raised so many generals and soldiers in the house? As soon as these people are idle, they may be dug up in the corner sometime. After all, the court wants to transfer him under the command of the King of Wu, which is just a matter of one sentence. Above the court, I don't know how many people want to cut his Li Ke into a light pole.

Instead of waiting for people to dig corners and fold their wings, it's better to give up giving these people out - of course, it's the most cost-effective to give them to Qin Mubai!

Moreover, the emperor may also have the intention to reduce the talent around Li Ke. After all, he is a small concubine prince, and he has thousands of rights. He has Xue Rengui, Yuwen Hongtai, Yin Yang and other generations. No matter where these people are placed, they are all first-class talents. Now they are all nestled in the Wu Palace. Not to mention that the king of Wei, the prince and others are worried, Li Shimin will feel eye-catching when he sees too much!

"When Uncle Shi said that, I really remembered it." Qin Mubai didn't break it. He said with a smile, "There are three fierce generals in the Wu Palace, two of which I recommended. That's Xue Rengui and Yuwen Hongtai. If these two people are transferred to Zuo Weiwei's house, I will definitely be able to do it well.

"Then it's them!" Li Xun didn't say much, but he made a straight choice.

It seems that this is tacit. What a tacit understanding.

"In addition, those Baiqi who followed you to Xiangzhou have also been transferred back. A few days ago, they have returned to Baiqi Camp." Li Wei said, "Your Majesty's meaning is that these people follow you to travel north and south. When you get to the border and go to the battlefield, what you want is this kind of bloody brother's care. Your Majesty said that you are the precious son-in-law of his old man. These hundred riders are still divided into your command, serving as Yifu Sijie, Zhonghou, Si Ge and other military officers, and will garrison the central army with you.

"Good!" This made Qin Mubai a little overjoyed. The 30 brothers were the most intimate iron poles. Accompanied by them, they had a lot of confidence in their hearts.

"But Pang Fei didn't come back." Li Xun said, "He will take over the position of lieutenant in Xiangzhou that you left behind and continue to stay there. The young man is good and energetic. He is an ordinary pawn who grows into a captain on the unique side. Mu Bai, I didn't expect you to know the talent and be generous!"

"Haha! Uncle Shi made fun of it!" Qin Mubai was also very happy. Pang Fei is a real talent now.

"That's about it. That's it." Li Xun has always been straightforward. After saying that, he folded the list and put it in his arms and got up: "I'm leaving. I don't have to see you off. You should prepare early, and you will leave Beijing soon.

"Thank you, Uncle!" Qin Mubai still sent him all the way and sent him out of the house.

Li Xun turned over the horse and left.

Qin Mubai paced in the courtyard and thought left and right: Compared with the Governor's Office of Lanzhou, Xiangzhou is really a table of house wine. When you go there, you have to face the real war and the real enemy. Whether externally or internally, the situation will be more complicated. Moreover, it also shoulders the military plan of the Tang Dynasty, which can also be said to be a thousand-year plan related to the whole Chinese territory!

Well, a new challenge is coming again!